National —
On August 20th, 2024, Thai national media reported that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, father of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, discussed the 10,000-baht digital wallet initiative.
Thaksin emphasized the urgent need for economic stimulation, stating that delays would make recovery more difficult. He mentioned that the government is currently planning, and once ready, will act immediately.
Thaksin outlined three key aspects of the digital wallet scheme: 1) Economic stimulation, which he deemed essential, 2) Technological learning opportunities for the public, which can be delayed, and 3) Future use of the digital wallet for business and government interactions, which can also wait. He stressed that the first aspect cannot be postponed, regardless of whether technology is involved or not, as long as it remains lawful and minimally controversial.
When asked about potential changes to the scheme, Thaksin confirmed that economic injection is necessary. He acknowledged the advantages of cash handouts for their speed but expressed concern that they might not fully stimulate the economy.
Thaksin also warned about the deep-rooted issues in the country, particularly the growing underground economy, which has expanded to match the size of the legal economy. He highlighted the rise of online gambling, now a 500-billion-baht industry annually, as a sign of limited legal opportunities for the public.
Regarding concerns about Paetongtarn’s leadership in economic matters, Thaksin assured that she shares his “DNA” and stressed the importance of teamwork. He compared the situation to Thailand’s Olympic performance, where individual athletes succeed, but teams do not. He concluded that while Paetongtarn leads the team, collaboration is key.
On the morning of August 21st, 2024, Paetongtarn, Thaksin, and their family visited Wat Saket in Bangkok to make merit on the occasion of her 38th birthday, noted TPN.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
